HL Deb 20 May 1998 vol 589 cc175-6WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What contingency plans are in place to provide a shuttle coach service to Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway railway stations from Newport and Cardiff stations, in readiness for the closure of the Severn Tunnel as a result of structural defects and serious drainage collapse. [HL1820]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman)

The Severn Tunnel is likely to be closed for three weeks in July 1999 to allow the necessary engineering work to be carried out, although these arrangements have not yet been finalised. We understand that the contingency plans that the train operating companies have in place are that Wales & West's trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff will operate via Gloucester, adding an hour to the journey, with some replacement buses operating between Bristol Temple Meads and Newport and/or Cardiff. Great Western Trains will operate an hourly bus service between Bristol Parkway and Newport.